Cash-strapped mums going to Iceland more

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 20/06/2012 01:13

Nervous consumers are filling their freezers because of concerns over the economy, according to the latest snapshot on the health of Britain’s supermarkets.

Kantar Worldpanel said sales at Iceland grew 6.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to 10 June, nearly twice the market average.

The research firm said: “This is largely a result of the buoyant frozen food market, which tends to do well during times of economic uncertainty.”

Discount chains Aldi and Lidl enjoyed the strongest sales growth, with respective increases of 24.7 per cent and 11.1 per cent. At the other end of the market, Waitrose saw its sales rise 7.5 per cent, while sector leader Tesco was up just 1.8 per cent.

Shoppers stocking up for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations helped sales in the week ending 3 June soar 11.3 per cent, with an extra £213 million in the tills that week, according to Kantar.